Gordon Strachan has backed off from a war of words with Kilmarnock following Celtic's tetchy Co-operative Insurance Cup win at Rugby Park on Wednesday night.

Strachan withdrew the injured Shunsuke Nakamura at half-time, the manager claiming "there was a good chance" his Japanese midfielder would be further injured amid some rough treatment by the hosts. But yesterday Strachan said he has "no problem" with Kilmarnock and is content that referees will protect his players.

"Nobody has a problem with tackling," Strachan said. "You cannot take tackling out of the game, and we accept that there has to be the physical side, you have to take knocks and get on with it. I have not seen any of my players going over the top, getting up and smacking people. They get up and get on with it."

Nakamura is expected to be fit to face Hearts in Edinburgh tomorrow. Celtic's captain, Stephen McManus, will play despite his hamstring problem but Marc Crosas, Georgios Samaras and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink remain sidelined through injury.

Celtic's Scott Brown is the Scottish Premier League's October player of the month. "Scott brings us ability, energy, drive and determination," said his manager.

Across Glasgow, another midfielder will be in the spotlight this afternoon. Barry Ferguson, the Rangers captain, will make his first appearance of the season against Inverness following ankle surgery.

Walter Smith, the Ibrox club's manager, believes his midfield options are among the best he has had at his disposal. He said: "We're pleased to have them all and we have the strongest group in midfield that we've had for a good few years at Rangers so we have to be happy about that."